Title - Minor boys chained for 4 days on grounds of suspicion

Warangal: Three boys aged between the age group 10-11 were chained to the window grill for four days by the railway police in Warangal district, Andhra Pradesh on grounds of suspicion that they were involved in theft of a bag from a train passenger at the Warangal railway station. According to reports, the boys were chained to the window grill within the control room in the railway station. The matter was reported after an unidentified person called up the childline number and informed regarding the plight of the chained kids. After being alerted, Dr Mamata Raghuveer, chairperson, child welfare committee, went to the police station with some local media persons, only to find the kids being chained in fetters to the window grills. After being confronted over the issue, GRPF sub-inspector, Mohd Tajuddin and head constable Mohammad Khaza said the kids were taken into custody over a suspected theft and they were being questioned on the same. They, however, said that no case was filed against them. On being questioned on why the were chained, which was a violation of Child Rights (Protection) Act, the police said that the action was necessary to prevent the kids from escaping. When the incident was brought to the notice of M Kantha Rao, Railway Superintendent of Police by the Child Welfare Committee members, he ordered the suspension of the constable and the SI. The children were later released.